Kathleen Isabelle Griepenstroh Johnson

Kathleen Johnson, 80, passed away on May 18, 2026. Born December 19, 1945, in Nebraska City, Kathleen grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, and carried forward a steady devotion to family, community, and the responsibilities she took on throughout her life. Kathleen resided in Mobile, Alabama.

Kathleen was preceded in death by Tammy Anne Johnson Broadhead Evans (daughter), Henry Jarold Johnson (husband), LaVerne Joe (Sonny) Griepenstroh (brother), Isabelle E Youngquist Griepenstroh (mother), and LaVerne Herman Griepenstroh (father).

She is survived by Lori Lea Griepenstroh (sister), Bruce Allyn Johnson (son), Sonya Dawn Johnson Kerr (daughter), Ernest Edwin (Eddie) Kerr (son in law), and her grandchildren: Lauren I. Kerr, Sarah E. Kerr, Emma C. Kerr, Thor Broadhead, Angelique Broadhead, and Dean Broadhead. She is also survived by her great granddaughter, Tameria Valentine.

Born Kathleen Isabelle Griepenstroh Johnson, Kathleen’s early years included time with the Camp fire Girls, a group similar to Girl Scouting—an experience that foreshadowed a lifelong commitment to guiding and supporting young people. When her own children were growing up, she gave generously of her time to Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting activities, and she remained active in teaching and encouraging both organizations.

Kathleen built her professional life as an accountant, bringing diligence and care to her work. Later, when her children were older, she accompanied her husband to Saudi Arabia, where he worked for Saudi Aramco, and they lived in Ras Tanura. During those years abroad, Kathleen embraced new experiences with composure and purpose. She and her husband trained in scuba diving with the British Scuba Aqua Club (BSAC) and often dove in the Persian Gulf, with additional trips to the Red Sea. She also traveled widely while living overseas, visiting England, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, France, Sweden, and Switzerland—journeys that reflected an enduring openness to the wider world.

After returning to Mobile, Kathleen continued her pattern of service and leadership through involvement with the local United States Power Squadron, including a year as the chapter’s Squadron Commander.

Kathleen also spoke often of her time on her grandmother’s farm in Nebraska, where daily life required resolve, practicality, and hard work—pumping water from a well, using an outhouse, and relying on orchards, crops, chickens, and foraging. She carried those lessons forward, sharing memories, recipes, skills, and a strong work ethic with her children—gifts of knowledge and example that remain part of her family’s foundation.